Actuator for dispensing package



United States Patent 3,272,391 ACTUATOR FOR DISPENSING PACKAGE Philip Meshberg, 15 Stoneleigh Road, Fail-field, Conn. Filed Feb. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 433,644 17 Claims. (Cl. 222-162) This invention relates to a dispensing package for materials under pressure. More specifically, it pertains to an actuator means for the operator of a dispensing valve in such packages.

Dispensing packages, of the type to which the instant invention relates, have long been known and generally comprise a container having a material under pressure therein and a valve means mounted on the container for dispensing the material on the operation thereof, the valve means including a stern portion movable relative to the container for operating the valve and having a passage therein for passing the material, Most commonly, such dispensing packages have the valve means mounted on an end of the container for closing the same and include a stem portion which is longitudinally reciprocable relative to the container.

The dispensing packages, which are adapted to a wide variety of applications, such as dispensing hair spray, paints, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs and the like, are normally operated by the application of finger pressure against the valve stem portion for moving the same relative to the container, whereby the valve is operated to dispense the material. While this method of operating the dispensing package is well suited to many applications, it has been found that, for many other applications, the necessity of gripping the container in the hand while trying to depress the valve stem portion with one finger is tiring and difficult and often results in limiting the amount of control that can be exercised over a particular dispensing operation.

The present invention overcomes the problem aforenoted and has an important object thereof to provide a dispensing package for materials under pressure, which has actuating means for the operator of the dispensing valve that are operated by the application of pressure thereagainst, as might result from normal gripping of the material container.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a dispensing package for materials under pressure, wherein the actuating means for the operator of the dispensing valve lies substantially within the outline of the package and is operable by the application of pressure thereagainst in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the operator.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a dispensing package for materials under pressure, having a container for the material and a valve means having an operator movable relative to the container for dispensing the material therefrom, which includes an actuating means operable in a direction transverse to the path of relative movement of the container and valve operator for relatively moving such container and operator to dispense the mate-rial.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispensing package for materials under pressure which includes a container having a material under pressure therein, valve means mounted on the container for dispensing the material, the valve means having a stem portion movable relative to the container for operating the valve means, and an actuator for the stem portion, the actuator including a part connected to the stem portion and a part connected to the container, the parts being movable relative to one another on the application, against one of them, of a force applied in a direction transverse to the path of relative movement of the container and stem portion.

3,272,391 Patented Sept. 13, 1966 Another object of the invention is to provide an actuator for imparting the desired movement to the longitudinally movable operating stern portion of a dispensing valve mounted on a container having a material under pressure therein, the actuator including a part connected to the stem portion, a part connected to the container and cam means cooperating between said parts, on the application thereagainst of pressure in a direction transverse to the path of movement of the valve stem, for relatively moving the parts, whereby the stem portion is longitudinally moved to operate the valve.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a dispensing package, wherein the material container is enclosed by a casing, connected to the longitudinally movable operating stem portion of a dispensing valve mounted by the container, and has mounted thereon within the casing a collar, there being means cooperable between the casing and collar on the application of pressure thereagainst in a direction transverse to the path of movement of the stem portion, for relatively moving the casing and collar, whereby the stem portion is moved to operate the valve.

It is further an object of the invention to provide an actuator for the operating stem portion of a dispensing valve mounted on the end of a container having a material under pressure therein, wherein the stern portion is longitudinally movable relative to the container, which includes a casing enclosing at least the end of the container mounting the valve and having an end wall connected to the stem portion, and a collar connected to the container, the collar and container being longitudinally movable together within the casing and the collar having a camming surface thereon adjacent a side wall of the casing, the casing being formed with at least one opening in the side wall thereof adjacent the camming surface through which camming pressure is applied against such surface for relatively moving the collar and casing and, respectively, the container and stem portion so that the dispensing valve is operated.

It is still further an object of the invention to provide a manual actuator for the operator of a dispensing valve which forms an integral part of or an attachment to a material dispensing package and is operated by the ap plication of finger pressure thereagainst in a direction transverse to the path of movement of the valve operator, whereby mere gripping of the package will dispense the material.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the specification and claims, when considered in connection with the attached sheet of drawings, illustrating one form of the invention, wherein like characters represent like parts and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view, partially in section, showing a dispensing package, embodying the invention, in non-dispensing condition;

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, but shows the package in dispensing condition;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view, in dotted and solid lines, of the dispensing package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view, partially in section, showing another form of dispensing package according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the dispensing package of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a foreshortened elevational view, partially in section, of still another form of dispensing package embodying the invention.

Referring now to the drawings for a more detailed description of the invention, in FIGS. l to 3, one embodiment of the invention is shown. As illustrated, the invention is embodied in a dispensing package 10, of the type commonly used for dispensing materials under pres sure, which basically includes a container 11 having the material under pressure therein and a valve means 12, mounted on an end of the container, for dispensing the material on the operation thereof.

The container 11, which may be formed of metal, glass or similar materials commonly used in the art and which may take any conventional form, is here shown as a glass bottle-type container having a neck portion 13 defining an opening in which the valve means 12 is mounted.

The valve means 12, which is mounted in the opening defined by neck 13 in any known manner, as by crimping a mounting flange over a bead defining the end of the neck, and which may be in the form of any known metering or non-metering valve, is formed with a projecting stern portion 14 that is longitudinally movable relative to the container for operating the valve, the stem portion being formed with a conventional passage (not shown) through which the material is passed during tne dispensing operation.

Prior to the present invention, it has been common practice with dispensing packages of the type herein described to actuate the valve means operator by applying finger pressure thereto, or to a button, nozzle or similar device mounted thereon, for moving the operator relative to the container; in most such cases the container is gripped by the hand and the stem portion is depressed with the index finger. While the foregoing method of actuating the valve operator of a dispensing package is useful, and possibly even essential to some dispensing applications, it has been found that for many applications of dispensing packages it is awkward and tiring and often difficult to accomplish while retaining control over the dispensing operation.

According to the present invention, the problems of prior actuating devices and methods is eliminated and an actuating means is provided which is operated by the natural manipulation of the hand as it grips the material container. More specifically, the pressure previously required to be applied against the valve stem to dispense the material is transferred to a point adjacent the container and applied in a direction substantially transverse to the path of movement of the valve stem, whereby the pressure normally used to grip the container in holding the dispensing package may be utilized.

This is accomplished, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, by connecting independently movable parts to the container and stem portion and then providing means operable in a direction transverse to the relative path of movement of the stem portion and container for relatively moving the parts. As shown, a casing 15 is provided which loosely encloses the container 11 and has an end wall 16 connected to the valve stem. The end wall 16 may be flat, or of any other desired contour and formed with an opening through which stem portion 14 projects and is frictionally retained, or, as herein illustrated, it may be necked to conform to the shape of bottle 11, and be provided with a boss 16a having a bore 16b therethrough for frictionally receiving the stem portion. While the casing, within the concepts of the invention, need only enclose the end of the container mounting the valve means 12, in the herein illustrated form of the invention the container is completely enclosed by the casing to protect it against damage. In order to facilitate assembly of package 10, casing 15 includes a removable end wall 15a which is snapped in place after the container 11 is inserted therein.

Mounted on the container and movable therewith within the confines of the casing 15 is a collar 17 formed to provide a camming surface 18. While the collar may take many forms, it is here shown as including an annular member 19, embracing the neck 13 of the container, having a flange 20 formed integral therewith and provided with an upwardly outwardly flared skirt 21, the outer surface of which forms the camming surface 18. The camming surface 18 is disposed closely adjacent a side wall 22 of the casing, the side wall being formed with one or more openings 23 in positions overlying the camming surface. The dispensing package, with the actuating means above described, may be completed by providing the casing with a removable cover cap 24 for closing the opening 16b in the end wall 16 through which the material is dispensed.

In operating the dispensing package 10 above-described, that is to actuate the operator of the valve means for dispensing material from the container, the cover cap 24 is removed and the casing gripped in one hand as would be natural to hold the dispensing package. The openings 23 are so located that natural gripping of the container will result in the finger tips entering the openings 23 and, on exerting pressure therethrough, the tips of the fingers Will engage the camming surface 18 of the collar so that the collar and its connected container are cammed toward the end wall 16 of the casing. Since the stem portion 14 of the valve means is connected to the casing and held thereby against outward movement, the shifting of the container within the casing will result in the desired relative longitudinal movement between the stem portion and the container being achieved, thereby operating the valve and dispensing the material.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 a modified form of the dispensing package 10, discussed in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3, is shown. While this construction is substantially identical to the construction of FIGS. 1 to 3, it differs in that button members 25 are pivotally mounted on the side wall 22 of the casing in the openings 23. While the buttons may be mounted in any known manner, they are here shown as being formed with a groove 26 along their bottom edge to facilitate their being snapped in place on the lip 27 formed by the bot-tom edge of the openings 23. The buttons are provided, at the end adapted to engage the camming surface 18, with a curved contour, as shown at 28, such contour serving as a cam when the button is pressed inwardly of the casing, by the natural pressure resulting from the gripping of the dispensing package, for camming the collar and container toward end wall 16, as previously described. It should here be noted that in lieu of the cam button 25 other camming means may be resorted to, such as, for example, stamping a tongue into the side wall of the casing or the like, the tongue being movable on the application of finger pressure thereagainst into camming engagement with the camming surface 18.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the invention is shown embodied in an actuator attachment 29 mounted on a dispensing package 30, the latter including a can-type container 31 and a conventional valve means 32. The valve means 32, which includes stem portion 33 longitudinally movable relative to the container 31, is mounted on the end 34 of the container by rolling a mounting flange 35 over the rim 36 defining the opening in the end Wall, as is conventional in the art.

The actuator 29, similar to the actuators previously described, includes a casing 37 enclosing the container 31 and having an end wall 38 formed with a boss 39 having a bore 40 therethrough for frictionally receiving the valve stem 33 and passing the material. While the casing 37 may enclose the entire container or any lesser portion thereof, in the illustrated form of the invention it merely encloses the end of the container mounting the valve means.

A collar 41 providing a camming surface 42 is connected to the container and movable therewith relative to the casing 29. The collar, as shown, includes a substantially U-shaped annular portion 43, adapted to be snapped into place over the bead formed by the flange 35 and rim 36 for retaining the collar in position relative to the container and has an outwardly and upwardly projecting flange 44, the outer surface of which defines the camming surface 42. The camming surface is disposed adjacent and faces a side wall 45 of the casing, the latter being provided with an opening or openings 46 substantially overlying the camming surface. A cam button 47 is pivotally mounted in each of the openings 46 in any manner known to the art and is provided with a camming surface 48 adapted to engage the camming surface 42 to the collar When it is pressed inwardly of the casing for camming the collar and its connected container relative to the casing and its connected valve stem portion so that the valve is operated to dispense the material.

Thus, among others, the several objects and advantages of the invention as aforenoted are achieved. Obviously numerous changes in the structure may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. A dispensing package for materials under pressure comprising a container having a material under pressure therein; valve means mounted on said container for dispensing said material on the operation thereof, said valve means including a projecting stem portion longitudinally movable relative to said container for operating said valve means and having a passage therein for passing said material; and actuating means for said stem portion disposed substantially Within the outline of said package and operable in a direction transverse to the path of relative movement of said stem portion and container for relatively moving the same, said actuating means being operated by the application of pressure thereagainst in the direction of said container and transverse to the path of movement of said stem portion.

2. A dispensing package for materials under pressure comprising a container having a material under pressure therein; valve means mounted on said container for dispensing said material on the operation thereof, said valve means including a projecting stem portion movable relative to said container for operating said valve means and having a passage therein for passing said material; and actuating means for relatively moving said stem portion and container to operate said valve means, said actuating means comprising a part connected to said stern portion and a part connected to said container, said parts being movable relative to one another upon application of a pressure applied to one of said parts in a direction transverse to the path of relative movement of said container and stem portion.

3. A dispensing package for materials under pressure comprising a container having a material under pressure therein; valve means mounted on said container for dispensing said material on the operation thereof, said valve means including a projecting stern portion longitudinally movable relative to said container for operating said valve means and having a passage therein for passing said material; and actuating means for relatively moving said stem portion and container to operate said valve means, said actuating means comprising a part connected to said stern portion and a part connected to said container, said parts being longitudinally movable relative to one another upon application of a pressure applied to one of said parts in a direction transverse to the path of relative movement of said container and stem portion.

4. A dispensing package for materials under pressure comprising a container having a material under pressure therein; valve means mounted on said container for dispensing said material on the operation thereof, said valve means including a projecting stem portion movable relative to said container for operating said valve means and having a passage therein for passing said material; and actuating means for relatively moving said stem portion and container to operate said valve means, said actuating means comprising a part connected to said stem portion and a part connected to said container, at least one of said parts having a camming surface thereon, said parts being movable relative to one another upon application of a pressure applied to said camming surface in a direction transverse to the path of relative movement of said container and stem portion.

5. A dispensing package for materials under pressure comprising a container having a material under pressure therein; valve means mounted on said container for dispensing said material on the operation thereof, said valve means including a projecting stem portion movable relative to said container for operating said valve means and having a passage therein for passing said material; and actuating means for relatively moving said stem portion and container to operate said valve means, said actuating means comprising a part connected to said stem portion and a part connected to said container, one of said parts having a camming surface thereon, said other part having means movable into camming engagement with said camming surface on the application thereagainst of a force in a direction transverse to the path of relative movement of said container and stem portion, whereby said parts are relatively moved for moving said container and stem portion to operate said valve means.

6. A dispensing package for materials under pressure comprising a container having a material under pressure therein; valve means mounted on said container for dispensing said material on the operation thereof, said valve means including a projecting stem portion longitudinally reciprocable relative to said container for operating said valve means and having a passage therein for passing said material; and actuating means for relatively moving said stem portion and container to operate said valve means, said actuating means comprising a part connected to said stem portion and a .part connected to said container, one of said parts having a camming surface thereon, said other part having means movable in a direction transverse to the path of relative movement of said container and stem portion into engagement With said camming surface, whereby said parts are cammed in opposite directions for relatively moving said container and stem portion to operate said valve means;

7. A dispensing package for materials under pressure comprising a container having a material under pressure therein; valve means mounted on said container for dispensing said material on the operation thereof, said valve means including a projecting stem portion movable relative to said container for operating said valve means and having a passage therein for passing said material; and actuating means for relatively moving said stem portion and container to operate said valve means, said actuating means comprising a part connected to said stem portion and a collar having a camming surface thereon connected to said container, said part and collar being movable relative to one another upon application of a camming pressure applied against said camming surface of said collar in a direction transverse to the path of relative movement of said container and stem portion.

8. A dispensing package for materials under pressure comprising a container having a material under pressure therein; valve means mounted on said container for dispensing said material on the operation thereof, said valve means including a projecting stem portion longitudinally movable relative to said container for operating said valve means and having a passage therein for passing said material; and actuating means for relatively moving said stem portion and container to operate said valve means, said actuating means comprising a part connected to said stem portion and a part connected to said container, said part connected to said stem portion enclosing at least that portion of said container mounting said valve means, said parts being movable relative to one another upon application of a pressure applied to one of said parts in a direction transverse to the path of relative movement of said container and stem portion.

9. A dispensing package "for materials under pressure comprising a container having a material under pressure therein; valve means mounted on an end of said container for dispensing said material on the operation thereof, said valve means including a projecting stem portion longitudinally movable relative to said container for operating said valve means and having a passage therein for passing said material; and actuating means for relatively moving said stem portion and container to operate said valve means, said actuating means comprising a part connected to said stem portion and a collar connected to said container adjacent said valve means, said part connected to said stem portion enclosing at least the end of said container mounting said valve means and said collar, and means mounted by said part connected to said stem portion movable into engagement with said collar, said part and said collar being moved relative to one another upon application of a pressure applied to said movable means in a direction transverse to the path of relative movement of said container and stem portion.

10. A dispensing package for materials under pressure comprising a container having a material under pressure therein; valve means mounted on an end of said container for dispensing said material on the operation thereof, said valve means including a projecting stem portion longitudinally movable relative to said container for operating said valve means and having a passage therein for passing said material; and actuating means for relatively moving said stem portion and container to operate said valve means, said actuating means comprising a part connected to said stem portion and a collar connected to said container adjacent said valve means, said collar having a camming surface thereon, said part connected to said stern portion movably enclosing at least the end of said container mounting said valve means and collar, and movable means mounted by said part connected to said stern portion adjacent said camming surface of said collar, said part and said collar being movable relative to one another upon application of a pressure against said movable means in a direction transverse to the path of relative movement of said container and stem portion for forcing said movable means against said camming surface, whereby said collar and part are cammed into relative movement.

11. A dispensing package for materials under pressure comprising a container having a material under pressure therein; valve means mounted on an end of said container for dispensing said material on the operation thereof, said valve means including a projecting stem portion longitudinally movable relative to said container for operating said valve means and having a passage therein for passing said material; and actuating means for relatively moving said stern portion and container to operate said valve means, said actuating means comprising a casing enclosing said container and having an end wall connected to said stem portion, and a collar connected to said container adjacent the end thereof mounting said valve means, said container and collar being movable together Within said casing, said collar being formed with a camming surface adjacent a side wall of said casing, said side wall having means movable inwardly thereof into engagement with said camming surface of said collar, whereby said casing and collar are moved relative to one another upon pressing said movable means into engagement with said camming surface to move the stem portion and container and operate the valve means.

12. A dispensing package for materials under pressure comprising a container having a material under pressure therein; valve means mounted on an end of said container for dispensing said material on the operation thereof, said valve means including a projecting stem portion longitudinally movable relative to said container for operating said valve means and having a passage therein for passing s-aid material; and actuating means for relatively moving said stem portion and container to operate said valve means, said actuating means comprising a casing enclosing at least the end of said container mounting said valve means and having an end wall connected to said stem portion, and a collar connected to said container adjacent the end thereof mounting said valve means and adapted to be enclosed within said casing, said container and collar being longitudinally movable together within said cas ing, said collar being formed with a camming surface adjacent a side wall of said casing, said side wall of said cas ing being formed with at least one opening adjacent said camming surface of said collar, whereby finger pressure may be applied against said camming surface to move said collar and container longitudinally relative to said casing and stem portion for operating said valve means.

13. A dispensing package for materials under pressure comprising a container having a material under pressure therein; valve means mounted on an end of said container for dispensing said material on the operation thereof, said valve means including a projecting stem portion longitudinally movable relative to said container for operating said valve means and having a passage therein for passing said material; and actuating means for relatively moving said stem portion and container to operate said valve means, said actuating means comprising a casing enclosing at least the end of said container mounting said valve means and having an end Wall connected to said stem portion, a collar connected to said container adjacent the end thereof mounting said valve means and adapted to be enclosed within said casing, said container and collar being longitudinally movable together within said casing, said collar being formed with a camming surface adjacent a side wall of said casing, said side wall being formed with .at least one opening adjacent said camming surface of said collar, and means mounted in said opening and movable on the application of finger pressure thereagainst into camming engagement with said camming surface, whereby said container and collar are moved relative to said casing and stem portion for operating said valve means.

14. A dispensing package for materials under pressure comprising a container having a material under pressure therein; valve means mounted on an end of said container for dispensing said material on the operation thereof, said valve means including a projecting stem portion longitudianlly movable relative to said container for operating said valve means and having a passage therein for passing said material; and actuating means for relatively moving said stern portion and container to operate said valve means, said actuating means comprising a casing enclosing at least the end of said container mounting said valve means and having an end wall connected to said stern portion, and a collar connected to said container adjacent the end thereof mounting said valve means and adapted to be enclosed within said casing, said container and collar being longitudinally movable together within said casing, said collar being formed with a flange inclined outwardly and toward the end of said container mounting said valve means for providing an outer peripheral camming surface adjacent a side wall of said casing, said side wall of said casing being formed with at least one opening adjacent said camming surface, said collar and connected container being longitudinally movable relative to said casing and connected stem portion on the application of camming pressure through said opening against said camming surface, whereby said valve means is operated.

15. An actuator attachment for a dispensing package of the type including a container having a material under pressure therein and a valve means mounted on the container for dispensing the material on the operation thereof, said valve means having a projecting stern portion longitudinally movable relative to the container for operating the valve means; said actuator attachment comprising a part adapted to be connected to said container, and a part adapted to be connected to said stem portion, said parts being juxtaposed and being relatively movable on the application against one of them of pressure applied in a direction transverse to the relative path of movement of said stern portion and container, whereby said stem portion and container are relatively moved to operate said valve means.

16. An actuator attachment for a dispensing package of the type including a container having a material under pressure therein and a valve means mounted on an end of the container for dispensing said material on the operation thereof, said valve means having a projecting valve stem longitudinally movable relative to the container for operating the valve means; said actuator attachment comprising a casing adapted to movably enclose at least the end of said container mounting said valve means, said casing having an end Wall connected to said valve stem and a collar adapted to be connected to said container adjacent the end thereof mounting said valve means and adapted to be movably enclosed by said casing, said collar being formed to provide a camming surface adjacent a side wall of said casing, said side Wall of said casing being formed with at least one opening therein adjacent said camming surface, said casing and collar being relatively longitudinally movable on the application of pressure against said camming surface through said opening, whereby said container and valve stem are relatively moved to operate said valve means.

17. An actuator attachment for a dispensing package of the type including a container having a material under pressure therein and a valve means mounted on an end of the container for dispensing the material on the operation thereof, said valve means having a projecting valve stem longitudinally movable relative to the container for operating the valve means; said actuator attachment comprising a casing adapted to movably enclose at least the end of the container mounting the valve means, said casing having an end wall connected to said valve stem, a collar adapted to be connected to said container adjacent the end thereof mounting said valve means and adapted to be movably enclosed by said casing, said collar being formed to provide a camming surface adjacent a side Wall of said casing, said side Wall being formed With at least one opening therein adjacent said camming surface, and means mounted on said side Wall of said casing and movable on the application of pressure thereagainst through said opening into camming engagement With said camming surface, whereby said collar With its connected container and casing with its connected valve stem are relatively moved to operate said valve means and dispense said material.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,751,237 3/1930 Hoban. 2,602,700 7/1952 Ryan 222162 2,951,644 9/1960 Mahon et a1 222162 X 2,966,283 12/1960 Darvie 222162 X ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

C. CARTER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DISPENSING PACKAGE FOR MATERIALS UNDER PRESSURE COMPRISING A CONTAINER HAVING A MATERIAL UNDER PRESSURE THEREIN; VALVE MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CONTAINER FOR DISPENSING SAID MATERIAL ON THE OPERATION THEREOF, SAID VALVE MEANS INCLUDING A PROJECTING STEM PORTION LONGITUDINALLY MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID CONTAINER FOR OPERATING SAID VALVE MEANS AND HAVING A PASSAGE THEREIN FOR PASSING SAID MATERIAL; AND ACTUATING MEANS FOR SAID STEM PORTION DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY WITHIN THE OUTLINE OF SAID PACKAGE AND OPERABLE IN A DIRECTION TRANSVERSE TO THE PATH OF RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF SAID STEM PORTION AND CONTAINER FOR RELATIVELY MOVING THE SAME, SAID ACTUATING MEANS BEING OPERATED BY THE APPLICATION OF PRESSURE THEREAGAINST IN THE DIRECTION OF SAID CONTAINER AND TRANSVERSE TO THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID STEM PORTION. 